(7.5) Baltimore at Tennessee. Incorrect.
Well, I pulled a Democrat comparison with Steve McNair going against the evil corporate giant that screwed him over, and in true union fashion Ravens didn’t put in that much actual work and failed to cover the spread.
Buffalo at Indianapolis (12.5). Correct.
Woo-hoo, go Colts. Keep winning those close games that the experts predict you to win handedly.
Chicago at N.Y. Giants (2.5). Correct
At first I was worried that the Bears would continue playing a bit sub par, but thank goodness for 100-yard botched field goal touchdown returns.
Cleveland at Atlanta (7.5). Incorrect
So Atlanta loses to the Lions AND the Browns? I don’t care what the team is they face next, if I bet against the Falcons I know they’ll win just to piss me off.
Green Bay at Minnesota (5.5). Incorrect
Wow. Bret Favre goes 24 for 42 with 347 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. In Minnesota? Who the hell could see that coming?
Houston at Jacksonville (10.5). Correct.
What the hell is up with Jacksonville? They struggle to beat the Texans at Houston, then they outright lose to the same team in their own stadium. Well, it is a divisional game, and anything can happen in these instances.
(1.5) Kansas City at Miami. Incorrect.
Perhaps the Dolphins can lobby the league to start the regular season in November, which is when they seem to get hot.
New Orleans at Pittsburgh (4.5). Incorrect.
I watched the first part of this game and thought the Saints would outscore the Steelers. When I tuned in later and saw the score to be 38-31 in favor of the home team, I shook my head. Granted the Steelers aren’t as bad as their record indicates (in my opinion), but perhaps now we’ll see if the Saints are really as good as their record shows.
N.Y. Jets at New England (10.5). Incorrect.
Props to the Jets head coach. He may be an asshole to the media, but it looks like he’s getting the most out of this team and they have seemed to be competitive in a number of games they have lost.
(1.5) San Diego at Cincinnati. Correct.
I watched this game’s second half, and it was the most entertaining football I’ve seen in some time. What the hell is up with the Bengals? I can understand them losing a game against a good team, but now they are below .500? I didn’t realize that until now.
San Francisco at Detroit (6.5). Correct.
I have to laugh that Detroit would be favored by nearly a touchdown against any team.
Washington at Philadelphia (7.5). Correct.
The Eagles came to play. The Redskins came to … uh, raid the hotel mini bar?
(9.5) Denver at Oakland. Correct.
I have to wonder if Denver is pulling an “Indy” and just coasting to bad teams, or if this is proof that the Broncos will have a shortened playoff run, if they indeed make the postseason?
(7.5) Dallas at Arizona. Correct.
Dallas plays crappy team. Dallas wins.
St. Louis at Seattle (3.5). Incorrect.
Shit. I thought the Seahawks would be able to cover.
Tampa Bay at Carolina (9.5). Correct.
I saw the first part of this game and was regretting my choice. When I woke up the next morning I had to do a double-take when I found out the Panthers covered.
This week’s record: 9-7. Cumulate record: 69-75
I actually had a winning record. Yippie.
• I had Glenn Beck’s radio show on for a few minutes today, and he was talking about the book O.J. Simpson wrote that talked about how he would have killed his ex-wife and her boyfriend if he indeed was the real killer. Beck was then asking callers where they were the moment the O.J. verdict was read. Hey, good question. Here’s my story.
I was attending the Community College of Allegheny County at the time, and to tell you the truth I didn’t really give a shit about the O.J. case. Of course this guy off’d his wife and that Jew. Anyone with half-a-brain, or, even worse, a registered Democrat, could figured this out. Of course O.J. had a jury trial and a plethora of expensive lawyers, so naturally he was going to be acquitted. If memory serves it was late in the morning, and a few friends and I were talking in the student lounge/cafeteria when one of us overheard that the verdict was about to be read. I pulled out my Walkman and these crappy portable speakers from my book bag and we began listening for the “not guilties” to be read. Of course, we all were young and still had a smidgen of home that justice would be served on this day. Or maybe it was because we liked being loud and obnoxious. Either way, we all started chanting “Guilty, Guilty” in the student lounge. Of course, when the verdicts were actually read we responded with faux outrage, and one of my friends said, “He’s not guilty? I wanna riot!” to which I responded, “Why? We’re the ones who own everything.” Whitey represent. Of course now that I’m older, I’ve come to learn this is so not true. It’s the Jew who own everything.
Actually, I have to thank O.J. because during the trial I was taking a public speaking class and one of the projects was to come up with an ad and act it out in class. Well my friend and I (that same one who wanted to riot) came up with a 60-second ad sketch pimping the “Slice-o-toner” gloves, which featured several “get away with killing your wife” jokes, as well as an endorsement by Mr. Simpson himself. When you can be offensive and get an A for your efforts, you know you accomplished something.
Speaking of this, I just got a flashback to another time when being an asshole paid off. I mentioned this story before at TSM, but it bears repeating. I was in 11th grade and was pissed off because my English teacher gave me a B for the first grading period. Because of this B I missed out on being on the honor roll. Why I cared, I don’t know. I think I was more pissed that I didn’t get all but one B in that class (the rest of my grades were A’s) and I didn’t end up with an A for that nine-week period. Well, for some reason I decided that if I wrote a racially insensitive paper about the ever-so-popular literary topic of “Was Mark Twain a RACIST for saying bad things about black people in his stories?” I’d get my revenges (we had just read Huckleberry Finn in this class). I don’t remember much about this paper, but I recall saying something like, “Twain wasn’t a racist because back then blacks were seen as nothing but dumb niggers who went out in the field and picked cotton all day for their white masters.” I showed this paper to my friend before turning it in, and he couldn’t believe I was going through with this act of “vengeance.” When I got my paper back, I was surprised to see that I got an A (or a check-plus or whatever grading system Mrs. Thomson used) while my friend got a C/average grade for his paper that he spent time actually thinking preparing.
• And now it’s time for the Dr. Laura call of the day (or whenever I feel like doing this). This chick calls in and says that her son (late teens/early 20s, I think) recently served several weeks of jail time for pulling a gun on her. I don’t really know what the lady’s reason for calling was, but she did say that she doesn’t feel threatened around her oldest son (she had three or four more younger kids pop out of her snatch). Why does she think this way? “I feel he’s changed.” Plus he said he’s sorry.
I don't have a problem with my job, but I've gotta find a different place to work. The managers ride me so hard that I feel like Secretariat. Embarass me in front of customers, the whole nine yards.
I applied to work at a new store, and I was hired with the belief that I would be working there when it opened. I went up to the front to ask when the new store would be opened, and if I was going to be going to work there, as my co-workers had told me that I may not be going. I was ignored....blown off, like I wasn't allowed to ask. I didn't think I was being rude, or asking anything that I shouldn't be asking. Apparently, I was. I don't ask for a whole lot at work. I don't care about my pay, and I don't care about the hours that I have to work, or how hard (or easy) my work is. I try to get in, collect my paycheck and do my shit, and get out. The only thing that I want is a modicum of respect, or at least a slight inclination that my superiors care about my work. I've never complained once, about anything that they've asked me to do.
They don't fucking care, so why should I? I don't have to be treated like shit, because I don't have bills to pay and wouldn't be in financial trouble if I quit. SO, I filled out some applications today. It felt pretty fucking good, looking for a different place to work. The only thing that I'm afraid of, is that it's going to be the same way everywhere I go. The sad thing is, I know it's always going to be this way, and yet I get my hopes up over nothing. I really don't know what to do. I can't go back to sitting here all day doing nothing, I'd go fucking nuts.
I'm just really confused. The only thing that I'm sure of is that I won't be working at my store for very much longer. I don't need to be treated like shit. After that, everything's in the air.
KKK’s Top 103 Posters
Number 47: Cuban Linx
I don’t much about Mr. Linx, but he’s a founding member of my football contest and sends his picks in a timely manner – I can’t ask for anything more than that. He did pretty good in year one with a playoff birth and the AFC South crown, took a break from TSM in year two, struggled in year three, and is currently in decent shape for a late-season run to take the AFC South.
And now a word from the expert panel I've assembled to comment on the people I've listed.
From SFA Jack:
• Back in April, I talked about my birthday trip to CiCi’s. For those that don’t know, CiCi’s is an all-you-can-eat pizza place where you only think about going in just because you’re hungry and it’s $6, which also includes the drink that these Jews charge separate. Anyway, after coming home from work and then driving out to Sam’s Club for six 35lb containers of scoopable cat litter, the allure of CiCi’s sucked me in once again. I figure going to one of these heart-attack centers is critical for anyone because it stocks up your grease intake. Face it, even the healthiest of people need to eat shit like this every once in a while. If not, you don’t build up an immunity to junk food and, well, did you ever see that “Married With Children” episode where Peg Bundy kills that fitness guy with bon-bons? Yeah, something like that.
Anyway, I did have a plan going in this time. Instead of scarfing down this shitty food with no rhyme or reason, I went for slices that were mostly bread and not saturated runny cheese or that sauce which makes me queasy with just picturing it in my mind. Now I figure if you don’t gorge until wanting to puke at an all-you-can-eat place, then the house wins. I don’t like to lose. However, as I was getting to that point at a buffet where you’re thinking “one more plate of food. Just one more plate,” I headed up and saw the Buffalo Chicken pizza pie that was just laid out again. As I went to grab a slice (or four), the orange, gooey drippings from the hot sauce on this concoction was just too much, even for me, and I only settled for one piece (along with a slice of barbecue chicken pizza). As I headed back to my booth I thought to myself, “I fought the buffet and the buffet won.” This is the first time I ever backed down from a buffet challenge, and it wasn’t because I was afraid of stuffing myself. I was afraid of getting heartburn. Yet another indication of me getting up there in years. For what it’s worth, I didn’t get that sick later on in the evening, so maybe I’m getting wiser, not older. Yeah.
• This got a chuckle from me, or at least some of them did. Don’t know what it will do to you. Don't really care, either:
KKK’s Top 103 Posters
Number 48: Hoff
For all you people bitching about what happened to this countdown, I’m posting the following … in ANGER! There’s nothing much more to say. I like him. He likes me. (Although not as much as Carnival, it seems.) And it’s man-like, not hot-BUTT-sex-like. Besides, I doubt he would find me all that appealing. I'm still sure he spent $10.39 in Eden Prairie, MN, on a hooker. Then again, it could have been a male hooker.
And now a word or four from the expert panel I've assembled to comment on the people I've listed.
From Lovecraft:
From Black Lushus:
From Carnival:
From Cancer Marney:
• So not even a week after getting re-elected as Pennsylvania’s governor, Fast Eddie’s Transportation Funding and Reform Commission suggested the following:
Well golly gee, I’m shocked this was announced right AFTER the 2006 elections. Couldn’t this blue-ribbon panel have worked a weekend or two in order to make this announcement in time for voters to hear of this dire news before voting on the cocksucker who will end up being a multi-term governor? I’m also equally sure a certain casino that poured money into Fast Eddie’s re-election war chest will be getting a slots license in the Shittsburgh region, but I’m not going to comment on that until Swindell officially makes his announcement. Another question, Fast Eddie, when you previously raised gas taxes, I thought that was supposed to solve our transportation crisis? I’m stunned beyond words taxes are going to be raised again in order to support wasteful bureaucracy, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
• A short while ago I mentioned this local business posting the sign, “Liberalism is a mental disorder. Vote Republican.” Well, now their marquee reads, “Sheeple.” Rock on. All you need to do now is include the phrase, “Red diaper doper babies,” and I will mark out.
• Here’s why I love my county – a Sunday article in my local paper showed the number of people per county in the southwestern Pennsylvania region who have concealed carry permits. And my county ranks first in most concealed carry permits per capita.
• Finally, a footnote relating to my bouncing wedding ring that almost ended up flushed down a toilet (read yesterday's entry for more details). Later on in the day I discovered that our building had no water pressure. Hey, I peed in a urinal, so it was no big deal. I was also leaving for the day, so it's not like this affected me all that much. This morning when I entered the building, I heard a toilet flushing ... for several minutes. A toilet in one of the women's stalls was going nonstop. Oh well, I guess it's better to have a toilet flushing nonstop than not at all.
-Well, I've got an exam on Wednesday in my Central Asian Arts class (we've gone over China and India already, so this one is Japan), and I've been studying since 1:00 PM today. I've got more to do tomorrow, an bit more on Wednesday, then the final. So I'm pretty much going to be busy for the next 2 days. I'd look up information about Sumo wrestling and Japanese pagodas on Wikipedia, but you really can't trust that place.
-Masters of Horror was a disappointment last Friday night. Fortunately, this Fridays episode, looks great.
-Things have been thankfuly quite down here lately, since it's finals week this week. This is great for me, as I have one more final to get ready for, and there haven't been any major distractions lately.
That's all for now. I know, it's not that much, but other than studying, nothing is really going on for me right now.
• Ever experience one of those moments when time seems to slow down or stand still? Many people tend to experience these sensations during a car accident or some other surreal event. Well, earlier today I went through such a feeling -- in the bathroom. I had just finished doing my business, and as I was getting myself adjusted to head out of the bathroom stall, my wedding ring slipped off my fingers. As the ring landed on the tile floor, it made a piercing “ping” sound and bounced back up several feet into the air. As I stood there dumbfounded I watched the ring spin in midair against a backdrop of a toilet in mid-flush. Fortunately for me, the ring was moving to the left. Had it been headed the other way, it would have landed in the flushing toilet, leaving me s.o.l. In those few seconds where I just stood there watching the ring take flight, everything seemed to move in slow motion. However, I knew that the moment I reached out, time would speed up by at least double. Sometimes you just have to thank your lucky stars fate didn’t bounce a certain way.
• For disappointed Republicans who are dreading the day Democrats re-take the Congress, keep this in mind. Had Cynthia McKinney not punched a police officer this year, there’s a good chance that she could have been a high-ranking member of the House of Representatives. Then again, I’m disappointed that she was defeated in her 2006 Democrat primary. After all, the person who is going to replace McKinney in the House of Representatives is just gong to be another Democrat politician. Cynthia McKinney was Cynthia Mcfreakin’Kinney. The conspiracy theories. The race-baiting. The hilarity. I, for one, am sad to see her go. But not to worry. There's always Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, and that bitch who refuses to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
• I normally don’t talk about pro wrestling, but my local media had some feature stories about Kurt Angle yesterday. When I used to follow wrestling back in the mid- to late-1990s Angle was always a favorite of mine. Not only was he a great wrestler, but he was also extremely entertaining out of the ring. However, what I always found funny was that while many people applauded his mic skills, back in the mid-‘90s he was hired as a local television sports reporter after his olympic fame. His broadcasts were so bad that they were the stuff of legend in the Shittsburgh market. Even though he flopped as a “reporter,” I’m sure he learned enough from his time doing spots for Fox News (the local affiliate, not everybody’s favorite cable news channel), and I’m sure this experience helped him when he chose to become a pro wrestler. I haven’t kept up with Angle’s career over the last few years, but I hope he's making choices that will benefit his health. Sadly, I don’t think he is.
Here are the articles. First the Tribune-Review:
Now the Shittsburgh Post-Gazette:
It’s official. I have no ability in predicting football games anymore. I correctly predicted (excluding the meaningless MNF game) FIVE games cumulative in College and Pro football pick-em. That’s FIVE FOR THIRTY! I’m not good at math but that’s like a .166 average.
That wasn’t the worst of it over the weekend, though. Friday afternoon, I came home and found my sister standing in the kitchen making dinner which was weird since she hasn’t come over much since the wedding. I asked why she was there and she shrugged, telling me that she was told to come over and start dinner. We made light conversation wondering and speculating on the cause of this apparent family meeting. Finally they each arrived and after we sat down for this prepared dinner, which was beyond weird enough but they finally came out and informed us that they had decided it was time to move and “retire”. Having already made the arrangements and found a house in some small town in Pennsylvania where my mother knew she’d get work as a teacher and my father whom has saved a comfortable amount would essentially work out of his garage doing custom jobs on cars. This didn’t drastically affect my sister, as she’s already on her own with a husband and probably with kids very soon.
Of course, I’m not married. I’m not “settled” in by any means yet. Obviously, I can’t follow my parents down there. They plan on selling the house and this will leave me with a decision to make. I’ve mentioned before here that I wasn’t planning on staying home much longer especially after I already had a brief taste of living on my own. It was time for me to seriously start looking ahead but I’m not really concerned about where I will go (I’ll either get an apartment of my own somewhere near by, probably Middletown because of how dirt cheap it is in comparison to other towns near-by) or I’ll made the serious jump and move in with Allison, whom will be room-mate free next year in Oxford. That’s scary for me, to realize that after just 2 months together, I am willing to live with her. It’s because of this feeling that I don’t want to do that.
I’m more bothered by the prospect of my parents being at least 5-6 hours away from me. I’m not dependant on them but it was always nice, even when I was living at Miami to know that it was just a short drive away if I needed something or they needed me. Sure, I got other family and even a couple friends around but they aren’t your parents.
To make matters worse, having found out my parents were moving and I was out of a home, that fever from two weeks ago crept up again and with the girlfriend out of town, I was left to my own devices and this allowed me to catch up on various movies and TV shows that I hadn’t seen. What, you think I was going to give you a report on those shows/movies? No!
However, I will stay I was greatly entertained by this movie called “Pretty Persuasion”. Granted, it wasn’t the most original plot but the acting was good especially with the hammy greatness of James Woods. I think he automatically improves the quality of every movie he appears in, even if they are all the same smarmy character. I mean, look at this list
Salvador
Diggstown
Straight Talk
Chaplin
Casino
Nixon
Ghosts of Mississippi
Contact
Vampires
Virgin Suicides
Any Given Sunday
True Crime
Riding In Cars With Boys
Scary Movie 2
Stuart Little 2/Hercules/Easter Egg Adventure/Recess/Final Fantasy/Grand Theft Auto/Scarface (Voice)
Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story (Yes, they actually made a movie about him)
What an awesome dude and his TV show rocks too.
In my need to always find content after the 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot is released I plan on doing individual entries on each player on the ballot, even the ones that have no business being on it. The profiles will mainly just be useless information on each player and then a short opinion by me on whether or not I'd vote for them into the Hall of Fame. So as a test run I decided to do one on an active player and Gary Sheffield seemed like a good choice since he has recently been in the news.
Gary Sheffield - Outfielder/Third Baseman
Milwaukee Brewers 1989-1991
San Diego Padres 1992-1993
Florida Marlins 1993-1998
Los Angeles Dodgers 1998-2001
Atlanta Braves 2002-2003
New York Yankees 2004-2006
Detroit Tigers 2007-
Awards
1992 Sporting News ML Player of the Year
1992 NL Silver Slugger - 3B
1996 NL Silver Slugger - OF
2003 NL Silver Slugger - OF
2004 AL Silver Slugger - OF
2005 AL Silver Slugger - OF
All-Star Selections: 9 (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005)
League Leader
1992: Batting Average, Total Bases
1996: On Base Pct., OPS, OPS+
Career Ranks
OBP: 64th
SLG: 52nd
OPS: 47th
Runs: 70th
TB: 54th
HR: 31st
RBI: 46th
BB: 37th
OPS+: 48th
RC: 39th
Hall of Fame Stats
Black Ink: Batting - 4 (401) (Average HOFer ≈ 27)
Gray Ink: Batting - 118 (164) (Average HOFer ≈ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 57.7 (37) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 132.0 (98) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Batters in HOF: 5 (Willie Stargell, Billy Williams, Duke Snider, Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews)
Other Similar Batters: Jeff Bagwell, Ken Griffey Jr., Fred McGriff, Frank Thomas, Jim Rice
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacment Level (WARP3)
1988: 2/0.3
1989: 6/1.8
1990: 20/5.2
1991: 1/0.2
1992: 32/11.9
1993: 16/4.9
1994: 15/5.0
1995: 13/4.3
1996: 34/10.6
1997: 22/7.1
1998: 30/7.7
1999: 24/7.7
2000: 31/8.8
2001: 30/8.8
2002: 26/6.8
2003: 35/11.0
2004: 30/8.5
2005: 31/8.4
2006: 3/1.2
Total Wins Shares: 401
Total WARP3: 120.3
Would he get my vote?
Yes. Whether your a career voter or a peak voter Sheffield measures up. Although he never won an MVP and his black ink number is very low, the overall consistentcy of performing at a high level is deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame. On the other hand because of his personality and some steroid questions due to his brief association with BALCO he might not be a slam dunk in the view of the baseball writers. But with now over 400 career Win Shares he should be.
(7.5) Baltimore at Tennessee
Steve McNair returns home. Which way will this game go? Will McNair want to get his revenge against the team he sacrificed his body with for so many years, or will it be a bittersweet homecoming because these two teams used to be divisional rivals and anything goes in these kind of games? I don’t know. But since the Democrats retook Congress last week, and they are supposedly the party of the “little guy,” I’ll side with McNair sticking it to The Man, who didn’t want to pay him the money he deserved and traded him away.
Buffalo at Indianapolis (12.5)
The Colts came off a big win last week, and the Bills won their game last week against Green Bay. Is this one of those cases where a bad team can sneak up on a team who is supposed to easily win? Who is Indianapolis playing next week? Dallas. Oh OK, I’ll take the Bills.
Chicago at N.Y. Giants (2.5)
A few weeks ago this seemed to be the matchup of the year (at least until next week when some other game will probably get hyped to death), but recent iffy play and some injuries have taken the shine off of this one. Give me Chicago.
Cleveland at Atlanta (7.5)
Atlanta lost to Detroit and Cleveland covered the spread last week against San Diego. The Falcons like to run and I’m sure Cleveland is bad against the run. Of course I have absolutely no stats to back this up. It’s Cleveland. They have to be bad at everything. I’ll take Atlanta.
Green Bay at Minnesota (5.5)
I think this is the surest 5.5 spread I’ve seen all year, simply because Bret Favre is playing in Minnesota.
Houston at Jacksonville (10.5)
Didn’t Houston just beat Jacksonville a few weeks ago? Yeah, but it was at Houston. Chirst, I don’t know what to do. Do the Jags redeem themselves with a big win or do the Texans show why they won in their first meeting? Jacksonville had a big home win last week against a crappy team last week. I’ll say it won’t happen twice in a row.
(1.5) Kansas City at Miami
Miami beats the Bears and suddenly Kansas City is only favored by 1.5 against the Dolphins at home? Then again, maybe Miami will run the table again like last year and make us all think they’ll be Super Bowl contenders for the 2007-2008 season. Give me the Chiefs.
New Orleans at Pittsburgh (4.5)
You got to be kidding me? Four-and-a-half points? I’m sure New Orleans is going to run into a road bump sometime this season, and I think this could be a close game. However, a 2-6 team is favored at home against a 6-2 team? I can’t the Steelers in this one.
N.Y. Jets at New England (10.5)
New England barely covered against the Jets earlier this year in New York, but it took a few fluke plays for the Jets to stay in the game. I’ll take the Patriots at home.
(1.5) San Diego at Cincinnati
This should be an interesting game. I don’t know who to take, so I’ll go with the Chargers because they seem to be more consistent this year than the Bengals.
San Francisco at Detroit (6.5)
A true clash of the titans. There’s no way I’m taking Detroit at 6.5 points, although having the 49ers go on a two-game winning streak seems not all that reassuring.
Washington at Philadelphia (7.5)
Washington just squeaked by the Cowboys last week, and when I last saw Philadelphia they were handedly beating the Jaguars. Although the spread gives me some concern, I’ll take the Eagles at home.
(9.5) Denver at Oakland
Yuck. Oakland lost earlier this year to Denver, but now they’re playing at home. Will that spread hold up in the Black Hole? Well, they beat the Steelers last time they were home. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt this week.
(7.5) Dallas at Arizona
After that loss to the Redskins last week, I’ll predict a big Cowboys win because they’re playing a team that isn’t playoff bound.
St. Louis at Seattle (3.5)
The first time I predicted this game when it was played in St. Louis I sided with the division champs. I’ll do the same thing, even though I have no idea if Seattle’s starting running back and quarterback will play.
Tampa Bay at Carolina (9.5)
Two weeks ago Carolina got beat by the Cowboys at home. Will they continue this skid against a divisional opponent? I think the Bucs have a chance in this one. But it is a Monday night game, so that means it will probably suck, which means the Panthers will blow the Bucs out. My anti-ESPN sentiment is getting the better of me for this one.
Here we go.
(5.5) Atlanta at Detroit. Incorrect
Oh boy, this is a great way to start out the week.
Cincinnati at Baltimore. (3.5) Correct.
I watched the first few minutes of this game and generally felt good about picking the Ravens. However, I was a little worried because teams that jump out to double-digit leads early can sometimes get complacent and let the other team back in the game. Fortunately the point spread was 5.5 and not 6.5 points.
(3.5) Dallas at Washington. Incorrect.
I guess I could be pissed about that botched two-point conversion attempt when the Cowboys should have kicked the extra point, but that would have meant Dallas just winning the game – they still wouldn’t have covered the spread.
Green Bay at Buffalo. (3.5) Incorrect.
No words for this one.
Houston at N.Y. Giants. (13.5) Incorrect.
Shit. Houston played good again. It’s a shame they couldn’t pull off the upset.
Kansas City at St. Louis. (2.5) Correct.
I figured the Chiefs would win this game, and I was right.
Miami at Chicago. (13.5) Incorrect.
I made a remark when selecting this game that the only team to defeat the 1985 Bears were the Dolphins. Perhaps this is a sign for Chicago fans that this is the year for their Monsters of the Midway. Perhaps not. Either way, this year’s team is still good, even with the loss.
(1.5) New Orleans at Tampa Bay. Correct.
From my prediction entry.
Thank God it wasn’t.
Tennessee at Jacksonville. (9.5) Incorrect.
At least when you’re wrong about something, it’s nice to be REALLY wrong about something. And boy was I wrong about this one.
(5.5) Minnesota at San Francisco. Correct.
I guess I should be happy that the 49ers not only covered the spread, but also they won the game. But I was hoping the Vikings would be a surprise team this year, and although they started out playing well, they seemed to fizzle out. Still, there’s plenty of football to be played, and Minnesota is at the .500 mark.
Cleveland at San Diego. (12.5) Incorrect.
Well, the Chargers can’t win every game against a bad team by 30 points.
Denver at Pittsburgh. (2.5) Correct.
I still think it’s funny the Steelers were actually favored in this game. I actually thought they had a chance after they kicked a field goal at the end of the first half. However, once the Broncos did that 75-yard end-around touchdown run, I knew that would be the end.
Indianapolis at New England. (3.5) Correct.
Manning beat Brady. Again. Of course, seeing how these players don’t actually compete against each other, I don’t see the big deal. Then again, there was all that hype around MANNING BOWL I. Gag.
Oakland at Seattle. (7.5) Correct.
Didn’t watch this game. Didn’t care about it. From what I have seen, and from what others have said, this Monday Night announcing crew doesn’t seem to be doing too well. And based on what I’ve watched, I tend to agree with these opinions. Although I also heard quite a few people bash on the ESPN Sunday Night crew of Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire, but I liked this trio. Sure it was sappy at times, but whatever. Oh, and the other week when the Patriots beat the Vikings, I had to laugh during the halftime show when ESPN aired that retarded mascot race. My favorite part of that abortion was when all the ESPN mascots were being introduced and just about every one got booed. If memory serves, I think Tom Jackson was the only mascot to be cheered, which was still one too many.
This week’s record: 7-7
Cumulative record: 60-68
With my dismal track record of predicting election results, I’ll gladly take a .500 week for football.
A few days ago I mentioned hearing on Neal Boortz’s show a race-baiting political ad that took place in Atlanta. Now the commercial’s speakers claim the ad wasn’t inflammatory. Here are some highlights of the linked article.
OK. Now, let's go back to that ad’s message.
Yeah. I see no race-baiting there. Well, I wouldn’t if I was brought up in one of those inner-city government schools because I wouldn’t be able to read the text. Say, this gives me an idea, but first I have to take a trip down memory lane. Back in my college days, Pennsylvania’s governor at the time, Tom Ridge, was running for re-election, and the Democrats nominated a guy that makes Lynn Swann look like a serious gubernatorial contender. The guy’s name was Ivan Itkin, and he was a nice-enough person. The problem was he had no money in his campaign coffers, and he didn’t run the greatest of campaigns either. However, he managed to show up at our college’s television studio for a taped interview session. Of course, he didn’t realize that this recording was only going to be broadcast within our college dorm rooms; I think the broadcasting professor fibbed a little when telling him who was going to be watching this taped interview. But I digress.
After the interview concluded, I was waiting for Itkin to get the television makeup off his face so that I could ask him a few questions for our student newspaper. During that time I spoke with our broadcasting professor, who was a nice enough chick. There was one problem: Because I was studying print media, and she dealt with broadcast journalism, I don’t think she got the memo on what my political opinions were. You may find this hard to believe, but I wasn’t the most popular kid in college. I didn’t recite what Rush said in my classes in an attempt to throw my professors’ lesson plan off course, but I didn’t back down from a debate or snide liberal remarks, either. Well, this prof began talking to me about a local event that was making some waves, and I think she had assumed that I was on the same side of the topic as she was. She was wrong.
There was this community that wasn’t too far from where I lived, and some politicians were trying to “integrate” the community. In an effort to “diversify” this neighborhood, which had families who worked all their life in order to get where they were, the government was trying to relocate ghetto trash from the city to this corner of suburbia. Naturally, the residents of this community didn’t take too kindly to this effort and were trying to do everything in their power to stop this social experiment. I don’t blame these people one iota for doing so; the professor, on the other hand, did — and rather emphatically, too. Of course, when she said to me, “Can you believe these people (the current residents) would act this way?” I replied, “Yes, as would I.” Wrong answer. Thank God she wasn’t in charge of my grades for any of my classes. I then made some remark about how if people who want to give freeloaders something that should be earned, then these do-gooders should let these people move into their communities. Wrong answer again. Fortunately, Itkin came out from his makeup room to my rescue, and I went to ask him a few questions.
Yeah, I know. I’m a big ‘ol racist. Sorry folks, but this has nothing to do with race. It has to do with money. If you own a house, chances are it will be the biggest investment of your life. When your neighborhood becomes the focus of a social experiment where people who have not earned the property they were given suddenly get handed the American dream, it’s a sure bet the upkeep of their residence will be less than spectacular. Add a few more houses that will suffer from this condition, and just try to sell your property at the market value you think it’s worth. As a homeowner, I would fight tooth and nail if my local representatives tried that shit on my block. As long as my next-door neighbors don’t have a fleet of cars with cinder blocks as wheels parked out on their front lawn, I don’t care what race they are.
Anyway, the reason for this story is that in case I’m ever in this situation, I’ll simply take the commercial copy from those Hot-lanta race-baiters and reword it to suit my needs.
If this doesn’t work I’ll burn a lower-case “t” on a few lawns, telling them it’s “time to leave.”
Oh, and back to my Itkin story. After I spoke with this guy, I was by an elevator waiting to leave for the night. This makeup chick was waiting by the elevator, too. I was waiting for an elevator going down to the main floor where I would then head out to a nearby local bus stop while she was waiting for an elevator going up to her dorm. We struck up a conversation about Itkin, and this chick began saying what a nice man he was. I added, “too bad he has no chance of being elected.” Befuddled, I was asked why. After explaining to this journalism student several reasons why Ridge would be a two-term governor — 1) Bad campaign strategy, 2) No money, 3) Going against a popular governor — she got a depressed look on her face and said, as the elevator door opened for me, “Oh no, that means four more years of Governor Tom Ridge.” I replied, as the doors began to close, “You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing.” As her jaw dropped and her look of horror turned into a look of disbelief, I gave her a parting wink.
I went two for two that night.
-Well, in the past few days, I've been insulted by Hotbutter Spoontoaster and Banky. While Banky's was a typical "You're not funny", Spoontoasters was great. He said that he could beat me in a game of wits (not really a great feat) and called me "weird horror movie freak guy." This is why the internet exists folks.
-Cleetus and Jodine are breaking up. In all honesty, I still don't know what any woman on Earth would see in Kevin Federline. Just looking at the guy makes you want to vomit.
-It's official: The Democrats have taken over the senate. What amazes me is that this is the first time since 1964 that a Democrat won in Virginia. Now, some people are porobably going to be put in suicide watch.
-In horror movie news, it seems like a PG-13 horror movie called "The Return" opens today. It wasn't screened for critics, and it's a PG-13 horror movie, so it's going to suck.
-Finally, remember to watch "Masters of Horror" at 10:00 tonight on Showtime.
Yeah, I know. More election shit. Too bad.
• Maybe Fast Eddie’s re-election as Pennsylvania's governor might be a good thing. Well, it won't be a good thing for my paycheck, but I'm talking about in terms of entertainment value. You see, should a Democrat win the presidency in 2008, there’s a good chance Fast Eddie would join that administration. For all the grief I give this asshole, I have to admit he seems to be a popular guy in Philadelphia, the city in which he used to be mayor. With him possibly heading off for greener pastures, that means our second in command would take over. And who is this person? It’s Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.
God help us all.
Who is Catherine Baker Knoll? She is some crazy old bitch who gained fame last year for appearing uninvited at the funeral of a marine killed in Iraq and offered her condolences by telling the marine’s family that "our government" is against the war. Needless to say, her behavior pissed off the soldier's family, and the fallout provided for some great RIGHT-WING RADIO for the next few weeks. Oh please let her run this state for a few years. Please please please please please.
• While Lynn Swann got creamed in my state's governor race, he won a majority of votes in my county. Rock on. And what was the reason for Fast Eddie not getting 50+ percent in Westmoreland County? According to Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Balya, it's the RIGHT-WING MEDIA. From Richard Scaife's Tribune-Review
Oh give me a fucking break. First off, if we're going to whine about media bias, I could point to quite a few politicians on my side that have over the years felt the wrath of southwestern Pennsylvania's liberal fishwrap -- the Shittsburgh Post-Gazette. And besides, if this county is full of Democrats, why would they read a conservative newspaper when a commie one is available for purchase? Also, why then did Junior defeat Santorum by the same margin Swann defeated Rendell when the Trib heavily endorsed Rick over Junior and refused to endorse either gubernatorial candidates? Oh, and the Trib also endorsed John Murtha, for those keeping score at home.
• I find it odd that after it was announced Democrats were going to take Congress, I didn’t hear a peep about faulty voting machines and police dogs chasing away blacks from urban polling places. Wow, it’s nice to know all the voting irregularities that occurred during the past six years were magically resolved. I wonder if a Republican wins the White House or if the GOP re-takes Congress in ’08 if these machines will be on the fritz once again?
• Oops, I spoke too soon.
When I first heard the words “recount,” “voting machines malfunctions” and “Katherine Harris,” I thought that there must have been a shitload of busted devices to put her back in contention for her failed Senate bid.
• Great. As if losing Republicans in Congress wasn’t bad enough, the ones who managed to hang on are getting leukemia.
• Hmm, I’m starting to run out of stuff to say about Tuesday’s events. Oh, there was Rumsfeld’s resignation. Last night I heard some commentary about it on the cable news networks and the left-leaning folks seemed to be “shocked” that it was just a week ago Bush was saying what a great job his Secretary of Defense was doing. Well no shit. What was he going to say in the days leading up to an election? It’s just like when pundits who know their candidate or Party has no chance at victory but still goes on and on and on and on and on about how great their chances of victory are in the upcoming election.
• Finally, can we not talk about the 2008 elections until at least after this year’s crop of new politicians set up shop in D.C.? Pretty pretty pretty pretty please with sugar, sprinkles, Oreo cookie crumbles, and whipped cream on top? Sonofabitch.
• I can’t believe this shit. It boggles my mind. This news came out of left field and belted me smack-dab across the face and shook my beliefs down to the very core. But enough talking about Britney Spears and her divorce with her babies' daddy.
• Man, I don’t even want to know what this week’s football picks are going to be like if I was so off in my predicting the mid-term elections. And to matters worse, there were no Democrat supporters at my polling place that I could get into arguments with. In fact, there were absolutely no vehicles in the parking lot when the better half and I pulled in to vote. And I even wore my “I <heart> Halliburton” shirt. Oh well. Maybe next time.
• Well, Fast Eddie beat my guy Swann. Junior beat my guy Santorum. My local State Representative Republican challenger lost to the incumbent. However, my Congressional Representative Tim Murphy beat whatever hippie was running up against him. I went one for four, which could probably get me a spot on the bench of any major-league baseball team. And aside from candidates, there was another issue that I voted on which I found somewhat interesting. It was a referendum that I hadn’t heard about until I got up to the voting machine. Here is how the question was worded.
I found out later this is what the referendum was about.
I voted yes simply because my state leaders have found no problem voting themselves pay raises, so why not give some extra money to our troops and their families, even if it is a pitiful amount like seventy-five friggin' dollars? Christ, why does something like this even have to come to a vote more than a decade after the actual military conflict took place?
• As for my former place of residence, let me say this. One of Ohio’s biggest issues is a lack of jobs. So what do they do? They vote to raise their state's minimum wage rate. Okie dokie.
• Now some may think I’m one more drink away from offing myself due to the commie Congress takeover, but I’m actually in a decent mood. Part of this is because this morning I finally got Neal Boortz's radio program via an Internet stream and now can listen to his show at work. Woo-hoo. And here’s what Boorz wrote on his Web site, which reflects quite a bit of what I’m feeling today.
I'd like to also add the '94 GOP's desire to cut the National Endowment for the Arts and the result which became of that, but that's another topic for another day.
• Even though I didn't hear any last-second race-baiting ads in my region, I'm glad I got to listen to Boortz's show today so I wouldn't be disappointed knowing that this practice was alive and well:
• Here’s one thing that disturbs me as an evil right-winger. There is now a sizeable majority of governorships that now belong to Democrats. Now while some are commie pieces of shit like Rendell and New York's Elliot Spitzer, others I’m hoping are more level-headed, such as Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who just got elected to a second term. In addition, I really noticed for the first time that while there are more red states than blue, those red states are way more susceptible of being overrun by the Blue Plague. Ohio and Virginia can turn blue in an election’s notice. Think New York or California will do the same? Shit, the only reliable big red state is Texas, and it’s just a matter of time before Mexicans overrun that place.
• On a final note for today, the Pennsylvania state lottery has a daily three-digit number drawing. And what was yesterday’s number on the night Democrats swept into power?
666
-Well, right now, it seems like the Democrats are going to take over. While I'm no Democrat, it's good to see that some change might be coming. Meanwhile,I've seen Bleeding Heart Conservatives react in different ways. Some are complaining (talk radio), some are trying to spin it so it will look like they sort of won (talk radio, Fox News), and some are just going to act obnoxiously for the next few weeks (Czech, who's suddenly transformed into our new reactionary conservative over the previous days. Personally, it's good to see him squirm, since he seems to realize that time is running out.)
-Masters of Horror was good last Friday. It had George Wendt, believe it or not (who plays a pretty convincing psycho), and was a good balance between dry humor and creepy atmosphere.
-I went to a poetry reading headlined by Saul Williams last night. It was awesome, and I might buy some of his books in the future.
-Donald Rumsfeld resigned. I actually never expected it to happen, it's great to see that he's finally gone.
Everyone has played 8 games now. Let's see whether much has changed in the last 3 weeks.
32. Oakland Raiders (2-6). Previously: 31.
Ok, I'll finally say that they're the worst. Even though it doesn't make sense. They have a legitimately good pass defense and running game (if they ever bother to use RB-Jordan correctly). The run defense isn't great, but it's not as terrible as people think. But they are, by far, the worst pass blocking team in the league. They should be running the ball 30-35 times per game. Projection: 3-13.
31. AAAAAAAAAAGGGGizona Cardinals (1-7). Previously: 21.
They lost to the Raiders, but that was a bad matchup for them. Obviously they are the worst run blocking team. And it's pretty easy to run up the middle on them. They should seriously draft nothing but o- and d-linemen in the '07 draft. Projection: 4-12.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6). Previously: 23.
Their run blocking is Cardinal-like. All they have on offense is Galloway's speed. And they don't have a dominant defense anymore. Projection: 4-12.
29. Tennessee Titans (2-6). Previously: 25.
QB-Young is Vick-lite. They aren't going to be an aerial team. When they run well, they have a chance to win. RB-White looks promising. The defense is pretty bad aside from OLB-Bulluck. CB-Pacman should stick to returning kicks. Projection: 3-13.
28. Houston Texans (2-6). Previously: 32.
The running game is improving. RB-Lundy should do pretty well for the rest of the year. The defense still isn't good, but DE-Williams and MLB-Ryans are going to keep getting better. They were atrocious earlier, but it's difficult to be negative about this team right now. Projection: 4-12.
27. San Francisco 49ers (3-5). Previously: 26.
It's amazing that they're 3-5 with the worst defense in the league. It's because the running game is really good. RB-Gore is great, but credit the o-line. QB-Smith is ok. They'd score more if they would throw to WR-Bryant more. Projection: 4-12.
26. Cleveland Browns (2-6). Previously: 29.
Changing o-coordinators definitely helped. But they still can't run at all with RB-Droughns. The o-line is pretty bad, but it's not all their fault. Jerome Harrison would play better. Anyway, TE-Winslow II is still phenomenal. The run defense is bad, and the pass defense is good, especially when CB-Leigh Bodden plays. Projection: 5-11.
25. Buffalo Bills (3-5). Previously: 24.
CB-Terrence McGee is still awful in coverage. The run defense is really bad. QB-Losman is still a loser. But, MLB-Fletcher is outrageously good. And they can run the ball fairly well with either McGahee or A-Train. Projection: 5-11.
24. Detroit Lions (2-6). Previously: 28.
Mad Martz knows how to develop and use offensive players correctly. The defense is very easily thrown on by competent quarterbacks, and they're fairly easily run on. Projection: 6-10.
23. Washington Redskins (3-5). Previously: 22.
They're super inconsistent, yet they've scored 22 points three games in a row. RB-Portis is always good when healthy. The pass defense is dreadful, but maybe starting S-Troy Vincent over Adam Archuleta will help. Projection: 6-10.
22. Miami Dolphins (2-6). Previously: 30.
They finally realized the secret to RB-Ronnie Brown: give him more than 12 carries. They still don't use WR-Chambers in the slot like they should. QB-Harrington still is terrible at throwing deep. QB-Cleo Lemon would be a huge improvement in this offense. The defense has been fine all season, especially against the run. Starting S-Yeremiah Bell is a good move. Projection: 6-10.
21. Green Bay Packers (3-5). Previously: 27.
The running game is really good, entirely because of the o-line. They pass protect well, too. WR-Driver is steady, and WR-Jennings will be great by his third year. The pass defense is not that great, but CB-Al Harris is one of the best in coverage. Projection: 6-10.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6). Previously: 14.
QB-Ben has been pretty bad. Their pass defense isn't good either. But they can run fairly well and stop the run really well. They're much better than their record indicates. Projection: 7-9.
19. Minnesota Vikings (4-4). Previously: 18.
I'll just paste what I wrote 3 weeks ago. Negatives: Pathetic, cowardly West Coast offense that scores few points. Pass defense is worse than it appears. Positives: Good o-line and run defense. Projection: 7-9.
18. New York Jets (4-4). Previously: 19.
The passing game is still decent and they're finally giving RB-Leon Washington the ball. But they have a horrendous defense against both running and passing. I think they'll somewhat correct it during the bye, though. Projection: 7-9.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (4-4). Previously: 16.
They're getting ready to implode. WR-Ochenta y Cinco is whining. They can still get it done on offense, but the defense is bad all around. They have an ominous schedule, too. Projection: 7-9.
16. Carolina Panthers (4-4). Previously: 10.
They have a perception of not having any weaknesses, but their pass defense is terrible, and they have a mediocre rushing game. WR-Smith and DE-Peppers can't win by themselves. Projection: 7-9.
15. Atlanta Falcons (5-3). Previously: 17.
Lolz at anyone who thought QB-Vick 'turned on the switch.' He's the same guy. His yards per rushing attempt will remain greater than his yards per passing attempt. Anyway, they can't cover WRs at all. CB-DeAngelo Hall is a 'playmaker,' not a coverage guy. Projection: 8-8.
14. St. Louis Rams (4-4). Previously: 15.
QB-Bulger and RB-Jackson have been insane. And the defense still doesn't stop anyone. Same old Rams. Projection: 9-7.
13. Seattle Seahawks (5-3). Previously: 9.
Lots of injuries. The running game is shockingly bad. The pass defense is bad. But the schedule is so easy. Projection: 10-6.
12. Kansas City (5-3). Previously: 20.
RB-LJ is proving that he was a good raw talent who was coached really well and became the second-best RB in the league. QB-Huard has filled in very well. The run defense is bad. In the secondary, CB-Patrick Surtain is great in coverage, whereas CB-Ty Law is bad. Projection: 9-7.
11. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4). Previously: 6.
They can throw, but they refuse to run. The defense is so-so. Projection: 10-6.
10. Dallas Cowboys (4-4). Previously: 13.
Romo time. Obviously he's better than Bledsoe. Smart people knew that before the change happened. They are good at running and stopping the run. TO is a fancy little football person. It's bizarre that they're only 4-4. Tough schedule, I guess. Projection: 9-7.
9. New Orleans Saints (6-2). Previously: 5.
Marques Colston—he's Randy Moss with a good attitude. They can throw like bonkers, with the best pass protection in the league, but they don't run well, and the defense is still mediocre. Projection: 10-6.
8. New York Giants (6-2). Previously: 11.
The Giants are the best rushing team in the league. And both their run and pass defenses are near the top. They have some injury issues right now, though. Let's stop bloviating about Tiki Barber. Projection: 11-5.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3). Previously: 7.
Obviously the blowout against Houston was just an off day with an injured QB. QB-Garrard won't put up big numbers, but he fits the offense better than Leftwich. Jacksonville has a great running game and an awesome pass defense. Projection: 11-5.
6. Baltimore Ravens (6-2). Previously: 8.
The best rushing defense in the league. The pass defense is good too. They run the ball on offense now, even though RB-Lewis isn't good anymore. QB-McNair and/or Lewis will lose it for them in the playoffs. Projection: 12-4.
5. Denver Broncos (6-2). Previously: 4.
They're pretty good at running, stopping the run, and stopping the pass. They've given up the fewest points. QB-Plummer still isn't good, though. Projection: 11-5.
4. New England Patriots (6-2). Previously: 12.
I guess it doesn't matter that their WRs aren't good, since they have QB-Brady. The pass defense isn't that great, but the run defense is really good. No team adapts better. Projection: 13-3.
3. Chicago Bears (7-1). Previously: 1.
It's time to stop relying on Sexy Rexy so much and reestablish the running game. Step into the throws, young man. The defense is still phenomenal. It's unfortunate that they blew it on turnovers, because they had a legitimate chance to go 16-0. Projection: 14-2.
2. San Diego Chargers (6-2). Previously: 2.
The defense is suddenly only very good instead of awesome, but the offense is a colossus. LT is ridiculous. QB-Rivers is playing nicely, too. Projection: 13-3.
1. Indianapolis Colts (8-0). Previously: 3.
It's absurd that a team with a terrible run defense and mediocre pass defense is the clear cut number one, but it is, because of QB-Manning, WR-Harrison, and WR-Wayne. Manning isn't even close to the second-best QB (Bulger), and Harrison and Wayne are the two best WRs in the league. It's like the 2003 Colts again, but these 3 guys refuse to lose this time (until they play San Diego). Projection: 15-1.
Playoff predictions:
AFC:
3. New England over 6. Jacksonville
5. Denver over 4. Baltimore
1. Indianapolis over 5. Denver
2. San Diego over 3. New England
2. San Diego over 1. Indianapolis
NFC:
6. St. Louis over 3. New Orleans
5. Philadelphia over 4. Seattle
1. Chicago over 6. St. Louis
2. NY Giants over 5. Philadelphia
1. Chicago over 2. NY Giants
Super Bowl XLI
San Diego 20, Chicago 17
December 30th - Meineke Car Care Bowl (Big East #3/Navy vs. ACC #6)
Navy vs. Clemson/Boston College/Miami
The mean 'ol Naval academy is stealing the Big East's bid here due to a conditional bid they had with this unfortunately named bowl. Clemson is likely to end up here after having what appeared to be promising Orange Bowl hopes just a couple of weeks ago.
December 30th - Alamo Bowl (Big XII #4 vs. Big Ten #4)
Texas A&M/Missouri/Nebraska vs. Purdue
Purdue will end up here by default and A&M is obviously favored here, if the Holiday Bowl doesn't grab them. Nebraska would probably be passed on if their available since they played here last season.
December 30th - Chick-fil-A Bowl (ACC #2 vs. SEC #5)
Virginia Tech/Georgia Tech/Maryland/Boston College vs. Georgia/Alabama/South Carolina
And just another reason why people have a hard time taking bowl game seriously. Chick-fil-A just wasn't satisfied with being the sponsor of the Peach Bowl so they bought out the name. I'd never even heard of Chick-fil-A when they first sponsored the bowl. The assumption right now by the projections is that the SEC will get two teams in the BCS thus leaving this game with a 7-5 team at best from the SEC. Although none of them picked them, when you look at the remaining schedule there is a distinct possibility Kentucky ends up here as they could go 7-5 while the other three all finish 6-6 and thus would have to be passed over. If Georgia Tech loses the ACC title game they'll end up here which obviously would eliminate Georgia from consideration.
December 31st - MPC Computers Bowl (WAC #1 vs. ACC #8)
Nevada/San Jose State vs. Miami/Florida State/Wake Forest
Larry Coker's last stand will likely be freezing his ass off in Boise. Like I said in the prior entry I'd be surprised if Nevada isn't Boise State's replacement here. Of course though perennial doormat San Jose State playing perennial national power Miami on blue turf would be delicious is so many ways.
Jaunary 1st - Gator Bowl (Big East #2/Big XII #5 vs. ACC #3)
West Virginia/Nebraska vs. Wake Forest/Clemson/Maryland
The Gator Bowl has become the ugly stepchild of the January 1st bowls and has been passed over the Peach and Holiday Bowl on the bowl totem poll in recent years. As mentioned before if Nebarska is available they will pass on an 11-1/10-2 Big East team to do so. A lot will depend on who ends up in the Holiday Bowl from the Pac-10 as if it's Cal is there then they will probably grab Nebraska but if it's USC they'll have to pass on them.
January 1st - Outback Bowl (Big Ten #3 vs. SEC #4)
Penn State vs. Tennessee/LSU/Arkansas
Although the Gator Bowl is the ugly stepchild of January 1st, this game has always felt like an unecessary January 1st game to me. It's starts way too early for us on the West Coast (8:00 AM after New Year's Eve? Fuck that) and the 3rd or 4th best team from the Big Ten playing the 4th or 5th best team from the SEC isn't all that exciting to me especially when there is a much bigger Big Ten/SEC match-up later in the day. It will be especially unexciting this year as an unranked Penn State team will be here by default barring something bizarre happening in the Big Ten in the last couple of weeks.
January 1st - Cotton Bowl (Big XII #2 vs. SEC #3)
Oklahoma vs. LSU/Arkansas/Auburn/Tennessee
I always kind of hope that the Cotton Bowl will one day regain it's status as the 2nd biggest bowl game but that will never happen. Oklahoma is almost a lock here at this point unless Texas gets upset in the Big XII title game and there is always a preference to take a team from the SEC West division so not sure what CFN is thinking with Tennessee.
January 1st - Capital One Bowl (SEC #2 vs. Big Ten #2)
Wisconsin vs. Tennessee/Florida/Arkansas
There's 99.99999999% chance the Badgers end up here. As for the SEC a lot will depend on what happens in the SEC title game.
January 1st - Rose Bowl (Pac-10 #1/BCS vs. Big Ten #1/BCS)
California/USC vs. Michigan
Aww the Grand Daddy of them all back where should always be played, on January 1st. Won't get the Big Ten champ but at least we will get a Pac-10/Big Ten match-up. Of course if Cal beats USC I will not be watching this game until Michigan has a substantial lead in the game. And as you can see no one is picking them to beat Ohio State.
January 1st - Fiesta Bowl (Big XII #1/BCS vs. BCS)
Texas/Notre Dame vs. Boise State
This appears to be the easiest bowl to predict at this point. Texas wins the Big XII and Boise State wins out, they'll be playing each other. Now you see Notre Dame and well that's because Ivan Maisel thinks Texas will end up in the BCS Title Game which is too scary to think of right now. Although I think they'll get crushed at least Boise will get to prove themselves against an elite team unlike Utah a few years ago who were stuck playing a Pittsburgh team that had no business being there in a year that turned everyone on the Big East.
Jaunary 2nd - Orange Bowl (ACC #1/BCS vs. BCS)
Georgia Tech/Wake Forest vs. Auburn/LSU/Louisville
I'm sooooooooo rooting for Wake Forest and Rutgers to win their conferences and play here as it might cause the Apocalypse. Obviously the popular choice seems to be the 2nd SEC team getting here.
January 3rd - Sugar Bowl (SEC #1/BCS vs. BCS)
Florida/Arkansas/Auburn vs. Notre Dame/Louisville
Convential wisdom is the Sugar Bowl will gobble up Notre Dame as they are ahead of the Orange and Fiesta on the BCS pecking order this year.
January 6th - International Bowl (MAC #3 vs. Big East #4/#5)
Ohio/Western Michigan/Kent State vs. Pittsburgh/South Florida
Exhibit A why when a bowl is played is overrated. It seems unlikely USF would be picked here to travel all the way to Toronto.
January 7th - GMAC Bowl (Conference USA #2 vs. MAC #2)
East Carolina/Tulsa/Houston vs. Ohio/Western Michigan/Central Michigan/Northern Illinois
And Exhibit B as nothing bowl game GMAC decided to get cute and schedule themselves the day before the BCS title game.
January 8th - BCS Championship Game (BCS #1 vs. BCS #2)
Ohio State vs. Louisville/Florida/Texas
Playing two bowl games at the same site a week apart is lame and January 8th is looooooong time to wait for the title game. Words can not describe how I don't want to see a Ohio State/Texas rematch although the elitist in me would prefer to see Florida than Louisville, not to say I don't think Louisville wouldn't be more deserving if they finish undefeated.
Well this is great. Since 1996 I have always been nervous about each national election, whether it be presidential or mid-term. I kept thinking in each of these elections that the GOP would lose all of their congressional seats and get clobbered in the White House contest. Each time I have been proven wrong for the most part. In ’96 I knew Dole was going to lose, but I was surprised Republicans kept both the House and Senate. In ’98 I predicted the GOP would lose seats in Congress, and they did. However, the losses weren't as bad as I was expecting. In fact, I actually felt kinda smart because the conventional wisdom was that Republicans would gain seats. Then there was the 2000 election – heh. Thank you far-sighted Jews too stupid to properly vote via punch card. I was predicting in the 2002 election that the GOP would lose seats, which is what normally happens when the President’s party is in power during an off-year election. Wrong-o. Then there was 2004. Bush’s re-election. Republican House. Republican Senate. Each election I was expecting the worst, and each time I was proven wrong.
So now, for the first time since I became eligible to vote, I express some confidence that Republicans won’t lose majorities in the House and Senate (I don't expect them to gain seats; my head isn't that far up my ass) and every poll and pundit out there is telling me to prepare for the worst. Figures.
• Here’s reason #2310 why I don’t subscribe to the Shittsburgh Post-Gazette. As I was trying to find some information about local races, I came across this gem of an editorial regarding John Kerry’s recent, “Don’t study in school and you'll end up in Iraq fighting off insurgents,” remark. Now I’m not surprised that the PG came to Kerry’s defense. That’s totally understandable. Here is how the editorial started out:
OK, now I'm a bit skeptical on whether or not Mr. Kerry served in Vietnam (I need to get verification of that rumor), but for the most part, there is nothing earth-shattering so far with this editorial. Then I came to this:
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This is why I look to the “Opinion” section of a newspaper for my funnies and toss the comics aside.
As I mentioned last week in my bowls entry I wasn't going to be doing any projections as there is still way too many games left to make any solid projections that go beyond guess work. If you want to try to predict how the ACC will shake out the rest of the way, be my guest. But I need content and even though I hate the current state of the bowl system, I love looking at potential match-ups. So in this entry I'm going to do what I've done a few times in the past in the College Football threads and jumble together bowl projections from various sites to give you an idea of where your favorite or hated team might be playing a meaningless game in late December. I'll take projections from ESPN.com, CFN.com, CBS Sportsline, CollegeBCS.com, and SI.com and throw little comments that will provide little to no insight.
December 19th - Poinsettia Bowl (Mountain West #3 vs. at-large)
Utah/Air Force/Wyoming vs. Kansas/Northern Illinois/UCLA/Ohio
Army had a conditional bid here but their incredibly slim bowl chances went up in smoke when they get blown by Air Force so it's anyones guess as to who gets the at-large bid but will likely go to a 6-6 BCS conference team or someone from the MAC.
December 21st - Las Vegas Bowl (Mountain West #1 vs. Pac-10 #4)
BYU vs. Oregon State/Washington State/Oregon
I should have corrected bravesfan, or whatever his name is now, in the College Football thread as he was under the impression that the Hawaii is the Pac-10's #4 choice but it's actually their last one. In any event BYU will lock up the Mountain West this week with a win over Wyoming and the greatest a trip a Mormon can have, Las Vegas. I'd say most likely the loser of the Civil War ends up here as the opponent.
December 22nd - New Orleans Bowl (Sun Belt #1 vs. Conference USA #5)
Middle Tennesse/Troy vs. UTEP/SMU/Rice
Obviously God caused Hurricane Katrina to prevent New Oreleans from being subjected to another Sun Belt bowl game but it's back this year. At least the Sun Belt will manage to end up with more than one winning team this year. MTSU hosts Troy on November 25th and that will decide the conference and I'm soooooo tempted to break my no Sun Belt games rule in my pick 'em contest for that game. UTEP was the popular choice here but I'm pulling for SMU as they have an outside shot at their first bowl game since the death penalty.
December 23rd - Birmingham Bowl Bowl (Conference USA #3 vs. Big East #5/6)
Southern Miss vs. South Florida/Pittsburgh
Now raise your hand if you actually knew there was something called the Birmingham Bowl this year? The projections were unanimous for Southern Miss and only one picked Pittsburgh instead of USF.
December 23rd - New Mexico Bowl (WAC #3 vs. Mountain West #4)
Nevada/San Jose State vs. New Mexico
Okay now raise your hand if you actually knew there was something called the New Mexico Bowl this year? See this is the problem with a lot of these little bowls as they can only hope to get a decent crowd if the home team becomes bowl eligible and then really is it even a bowl game at that point or just a glorified home game? New Mexico will have to sweat a little for a bowl eligiblity as they play BYU and TCU next but finish the season at home against awful San Diego State. Now the WAC projections are split down the middle which is odd because I'd think Nevada would definately take Boise State's spot in the MPC Computers Bowl but half of them think San Jose State will but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.
December 23rd - Armed Forces Bowl (Mountain West #2 vs. Conference USA #4)
TCU vs. Tulsa/UTEP/SMU/East Carolina
This is actually not a new bowl but the bowl formerly known as the Fort Worth Bowl and I know you are all appalled that such a historic bowl would go corporate, sort of. Oddly enough Navy and Army didn't have any sort of conditional bid here. TCU is the unanimous choice since it played on their homefield and have in the past rejected other invites just to stay home although this year they get their by default. Projections have no clue who goes from Conference USA here.
December 24th - Hawaii Bowl (WAC #2 vs. Pac-10 #6)
Hawaii vs. Arizona State/Washington State
Again this week's big story was the shocking news that Hawaii accepted an invite to the Hawaii Bowl. All but one of the projections had ASU going here.
December 26th - Motor City Bowl (MAC #1 vs. Big Ten #7)
Central Michigan/Ohio/Western Michigan vs. Cincinnati/Iowa/Middle Tennessee
CMU has emerged as this week's favorite to win the MAC but that conference has been impossible to figure out this year. Now with it almost a lock that Ohio State and Michigan will give the Big Ten BCS bids there's a very good chance the Big Ten won't fill their last bid and Cincinnati for geographic reasons, and because the Big East is losing a bid which I'll get to, was the popular choice. CollegeBCS.com was the one who picked MTSU and I don't know what they are thinking there.
December 27th - Emerald Bowl (Pac-10 #5 vs. ACC #7)
Washington State/Oregon/Arizona State vs. Florida State/Boston College/Maryland
It's still incredibly stupid to have a bowl game in an area as indifferent towards college sports as the Bay Area but at least they have the Pac-10 on board now so Stanford will have a bowl game to go to if they ever become bowl eligible again this decade. FSU is the odds on favorite to go here and watching them travel across the country for a game they won't give a shit about will be fun.
December 28th - Independence Bowl (Big XII #7 vs. SEC #8)
Oklahoma State/Kansas State/Texas Tech vs. Alabama/Georgia/South Carolina/Kentucky
The Big XII bowl picture is fairly unsettled so tough to guess here. One of the dissapointing 6-6 SEC teams will end up here.
December 28th - Texas Bowl (Big East #3/#4 vs. Big XII #8)
Rutgers vs. Kansas State/Oklahoma State
This is technically a new bowl game but it was the replacement for the Houston Bowl that went belly up but is being played in...Houston. Confused? Anyways that is correct what you read, Rutgers even with probably a 10-2 record will end up in a nothing bowl game against 6-6 Big XII team. Basically no bowls wanted the Big East after the purge a couple of years ago, which in hindsight hasn't hurt the conference at all, and this is the result of it.
December 28th - Holiday Bowl (Pac-10 #2 vs. Big XII #3)
USC/California vs. Texas A&M/Missouri/Nebraska
Holiday Bowl has really emerged as one of the biggest non-BCS bowls in recent years and it should be no different this year. But man fuck all these projections as only one has USC getting to the Rose Bowl which means most think Cal will win their match-up. USC likely killed their BCS at-large chances with the loss to Oregon State although there is a slim chance that they could get in if a lot of things break their way, one being Boise State failing to get into the BCS. Obviously if USC ends up here, Nebraksa wouldn't be the selection from the Big XII.
December 29th - Music City Bowl (ACC #5 vs. SEC #6)
Wake Forest/Virginia Tech/Boston College/Maryland/Miami vs. South Carolina/Kentucky/Alabama
Again the ACC is impossible to figure out who is going where right now as Wake Forest was the only team that showed up on two of the projections although I'd say Miami is a longshot here.
December 29th - Sun Bowl (Pac-10 #3 vs. Big XII #5/Big East #2)
Oregon/Oregon State/Washington State vs. Missouri/West Virginia
Yup the complete lack of wanting the Big East strikes again. The Gator Bowl has a deal this year where they can pick a Big XII team over the second place Big East team. Big XII fans travel very well so don't be shocked if an 11-1 Big East team gets passed over and sent to El Paso, especially if the Gator Bowl has a shot at getting Nebraska who's fans can almost sell out bowl games on their own. The Civil War winner likely goes here from the Pac-10.
December 29th - Liberty Bowl (Conference USA #1 vs. SEC #7)
Houston/Tulsa vs. Kentucky/Alabama
Houston's mild upset of Tulsa this week makes them the run away favorite now to win Conference USA.
December 29th - Champs Sports Bowl (ACC #4 vs. Big Ten #5)
Boston College/Virginia Tech/Maryland/Florida State vs. Iowa/Minnesota
No bowl game that gets BCS conference teams every year produces more lackluster games than the Champs Sports Bowl and this year should be no different. CFN.com is the one that picked Minnesota so obviously Vern has been bribing them.
December 29th - Insight Bowl (Big XII #6 vs. Big Ten #6)
Texas Tech/Oklahoma State vs. Indiana/Wyoming/Central Michigan/Utah
Again because both Ohio State and Michigan are going to be the BCS and because the Big Ten is incredibly mediocre once you get past the top three teams, this bid might not be filled by their conference. Texas Tech was the almost unanimous pick here for the Big XII. I'm still trying to figure out why the Insight parted ways with the Pac-10 when it's natural fit for the Arizona schools.
That's enough for tonight, cover the rest tommorrow.
A few days ago I was goofing on some commie faggot going up against this GOP Congresschick. This guy was running ads on the local RIGHT-WING RADIO station in the Shittsburgh market, and I was making fun of him for the waste of advertising money he spent that probably riled up the conservative listeners who heard, “Commie Faggot wants to INCREASE the minimum wage.” Well, the Congresschick just had a gem of an ad played on the radio, and I just have to share this one, too. This chick is a Republican and she’s doing the “I’m going to distance myself from W. and try to appeal to the namby pamby pussy moderates in my district” route. A few ads I’ve heard from her talk about hippie shit like that godawful prescription drug plan that has recently been enacted. Well, while pimping this crap, the ad voice guy asked her challenger, who was being portrayed as an evil-doer in this spot who didn’t want old people to get their medicine, “Commie Faggot, what did seniors ever do to you?” Oh for fuck’s sake. This race is actually amusing to witness, because the Commie Faggot is trying to show how much of a moderate he is by saying that he’s “pro-gun.” I love it when Democrats try to pull this shit off because it’s just as funny as when Republicans go, “We are so about black people,” and then proceed to get only 5 percent of this demographic’s vote. In fact, one of my fondest memories from the 2004 election was when Kerry went into some hunting office in either Ohio, West Virginia or Pennsylvania (I can’t remember what state it took place in) and said, “Can I get me a huntin’ license?” That soundbite was so goddamn funny that it puts his “I voted for the $80 billion before I voted against it” to shame.
I was asked earlier today which Party I thought would win this election. I have no clue. Hell, even if I had a guess, I wouldn’t put much stock into it, considering my track record of correctly picking baseball and football games. However, here’s my two cents: For some reason I haven’t been buying this Democrat sweep into power that is supposed to resemble what happened in 1994 with the Republicans. I have no proof or, worse yet, polling data, to back up what I just said – it’s just a feeling. Plus, with the few special elections that have taken place since 2004 the Republican has been able to maintain his or her seat. One election took place in Ohio and the other in California. Granted these seats were in Republican districts, and the results were probably closer than usual for the GOP to keep these seats, but I’m just don’t think the House of Representatives will swing by a margin large enough to give it over to the Democrats. I’ve always been more concerned about the Senate turning commie, but perhaps that’s because the Santorum/Junior race isn’t looking good for the GOP and I’m getting a distorted image of the nationwide feel. I will say this: if the Republicans don’t win the Tennessee Senate race, I doubt they’ll win Missouri and have no shot at Ohio or New Jersey, although I don’t think they win either the Buckeye or Garden state either.
While I’m talking about Ohio, how the fuck is Ken Blackwell not going to win the governorship? I can understand not re-electing that Rino Duh-Whine (although I wouldn’t be voting for the commie the Dems have brought forth), but I always liked Blackwell while I was an Ohio resident. Christ, I hope the Blue Plague doesn’t swallow up Ohio along with Pennsylvania (even more than it already is) and Virginia until the flyover red states have a chance to beef up on electoral votes in the next census. Back to Pennsylvania. God is this election going to suck; the most conservative official on the national scene will be friggin’ Alren Specter? Oy. I will be voting straight party line this election and, like I’ve said before in previous entries, what’s funny is that in Pennsylvania returns from Shittsburgh and Philadelphia come in first, and the Democrat is always in the lead by a 90-10 margin. In addition, because of all the old people and union whores that have their “Vote Democrat” and “Bush Wants To Steal My Medicare So He Can Give Halliburton Another Tax Cut” bumper stickers and pins trudging throughout this area like zombies in any of the “____ of the Dead” movies, I feel like a lowly Hobbit armed only with a wooden sword trying and garbage can lid for a shield trying to hold off these hoarding masses until my redneck brethren from the middle part of the state have their votes counted to the point where the Republican can overtake his or her Democrat opponent. However, this will not be the case this time around; if Santorum can lose by single digits and if Swann can lose by no more than 25 points, I guess I’ll be content. And like I said earlier at the other place, if Junior only wins by single digits I'll be wanking it. But not to Rick's image, because that would be gay and he wouldn't like that.
Back to election predictions. There’s no way Republicans will gain any seats, but will they lose enough to hand power over to the Democrats? I said above that I was more concerned about the Senate than the House, so if the GOP can retain control of the Senate (thank you Joe Lieberman for running as an Independent), I think they will also keep the House. Then again, this is the same person who this year predicted the Yanks and Twins in the ALCS and the Dodgers and Padres in the NLCS, so you probably just wasted several minutes of your life reading this rambling drivel. However, you do that anyway when you read my other entries at KK's Korner, so my sympathy for you is nonexistent.
Oh, and Claire McCaskill will win Missouri by 30 points. Fuck you Tyler.
